Denmark’s foreign minister issued a sharp rebuke to the Trump administration on Saturday, criticizing the manner in which it has addressed Denmark and Greenland. He emphasized that Denmark is already stepping up efforts in Arctic defense and is willing to work even more closely with Washington.
“We’ll get Greenland. Yeah, 100%,” Trump declared in an interview with NBC News.
He continued, saying there’s a “good possibility that we could do it without military force” but made clear that “I don’t take anything off the table.”
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen responded to the growing tensions in a social media video posted after U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited the island. Not long after, Trump addressed the matter again publicly.
“Many accusations and many allegations have been made. And of course we are open to criticism,” Rasmussen said in English during his video. “But let me be completely honest: we do not appreciate the tone in which it is being delivered. This is not how you speak to your close allies. And I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies.”
Greenland, which is governed by Denmark, is a NATO-aligned territory. Trump has made it clear that he wants to make it part of the United States, arguing that the move would be essential to maintaining national security.
In his Saturday interview, Trump reiterated: “I think there’s a good possibility that we could do it without military force.”
“This is world peace, this is international security,” Trump said, before adding: “I don’t take anything off the table.”
When pressed on whether this would send a provocative signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump was dismissive. “I don’t care,” he told NBC.
Vice President Vance added fuel to the fire Friday, accusing Denmark of neglecting Greenland’s security needs and insisting that Copenhagen must overhaul its approach as Trump seeks to take control of the island.
While visiting American personnel stationed at Pituffik Space Base, located in resource-rich Greenland, Vance and his wife were joined by senior U.S. officials. Their trip, however, was cut short following backlash from Greenlandic and Danish leaders who were reportedly left out of the planning.
“Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,” Vance said Friday. “You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change.”
On Friday, Trump shared a video on his Truth Social platform titled “America Stands With Greenland,” featuring archival footage of U.S. forces stationed there during the Second World War.
During his visit, Vance said the United States “no option” but to increase its strategic presence on the island and urged local leaders to seek independence from Denmark.
“I think that they ultimately will partner with the United States,” Vance said. “We could make them much more secure. We could do a lot more protection. And I think they’d fare a lot better economically as well.”
The reaction from both Greenlandic lawmakers and the public has been swift and intense, with many rejecting the Trump administration’s plans. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded forcefully to Vance’s remarks, asserting that Denmark remains “a good and strong ally” and has not neglected its responsibilities in the Arctic.
Meanwhile, political leaders in Greenland moved decisively to form a new coalition government aimed at pushing back against Trump’s ambitions. Four of the five parties elected earlier this month have united, creating a majority bloc that will control 23 out of 31 seats in the local parliament.
Danish monarch King Frederik X addressed the controversy on Facebook the next day, writing: “We live in an altered reality. There should be no doubt that my love for Greenland and my connectedness to the people of Greenland are intact.”
In Copenhagen, hundreds turned out Saturday in front of the U.S. Embassy to protest, with demonstrators holding signs that read “back off, USA,” according to Danish network TV2.
Even Greenland’s biggest dogsledding event, the Avannaata Qimussersu, was impacted. The race, featuring 37 mushers and 444 dogs, went on without Usha Vance, who had originally planned to attend. Her decision to cancel came after her husband prioritized his visit to the military installation, reducing the chances of direct contact with local Greenlanders.
In his video message, Løkke Rasmussen also referenced the long-standing 1951 defense treaty between Denmark and the U.S. He noted that since World War II, the American presence on Greenland has been greatly reduced — from thousands of troops spread across 17 bases to just 200 stationed at Pituffik today.
The 1951 agreement, he said, “offers ample opportunity for the United States to have a much stronger military presence in Greenland. If that is what you wish, then let us discuss it.”
Rasmussen also pointed out that Denmark has recently committed significant resources to Arctic security. In January, the Danish government announced 14.6 billion kroner (approximately $2.1 billion USD) to fund new initiatives including long-range drones, satellites, and three additional navy vessels.
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